Leaf's FIFA 16 Experiment | Salary Cap MLS with NYCFC

[RyanLeaf16]

THE LIGHTS DON'T GO OUT ON NYCFC...VILLA HITS 89' EQUALIZER


Match in 100 words...or less:
David Villa continues to show that he’s worth every penny. NYCFC’s highest-paid player continues to earn his keep with match changing goals. After getting up early with a Thomas McNamara goal in the 2’…NYCFC quickly conceded back-to-back goals against a very aggressive Real Salt Lake team that outshot NYCFC by a ratio of 3:1.

However, we know the Boys from the Bronx are more focused on quality, rather than quantity. A stifling RSL backline stymied the NYCFC attack all afternoon until Villa equalized in the 89’ to bring the game level at 2. It was a point NYCFC escaped with.

Match Moments:

2' - Thomas McNamara makes a quick run into the box and takes the feed from Mix Diskerud for a quick tap-in goal

31' - RSL is granted a BS PK and takes a 2-1 lead after conceding in the first 2 minutes

89' - David Villa nets the equalizer after a through ball from Khiry Shelton

NYCFC Starting XI 4-2-2-2
GK - Saunders
RB - Allen
CB - Brillant
CB - White
RB - Matarrita
CM - Diskerud
CM - McNamara
RAM - Harrison
LAM - Shelton
ST - Mendoza
ST - Villa

Match Facts:
NYCFC/RSL

Shots - 6/18
SOG - 5/6
Poss - 47/53
Tackles - 5/13
Fouls - 2/2
Corners - 3/6

Man of the Match:
ST David Villa - 1 goal, 1 assist, 11 completed passes, 3 key passes

[RyanLeaf16]

CONVINCING WIN FOR THE PIGEONS AT MONTREAL


Match in 100 words...or less:
The boys in blue put on their best performance of the young season with a 2-0 win over Montreal. NYCFC continued to play an open style of play with their 4-2-2-2 alignment. Montreal finished with a majority of possession, but, NYCFC continued to take advantage of scoring chances on the counter.

NYCFC broke through in the 83’ with a goal from…who else…David Villa. Mix Diskerud added a goal of his own in the 90’ to erase any doubt about a possible draw. Backline problems are still present, but, a top-class performance from NYCFC GK Josh Saunders bailed them out.

Match Moments:

58' - Josh Saunders denies Ignacio Piatti of a goal by rushing out in a 1-on-1 situation

80' - Ignacio Piatti is hard done by as he hits the left post on a shot that surely would have beaten Saunders

83' - David Villa nets the winning goal past Montreal GK Evan Bush

90' - Mix Diskerud adds a late goal to seal the victory off a low cross from Jack Harrison

NYCFC Starting XI 4-2-2-2
GK - Saunders
RB - Allen
CB - Brillant
CB - White
RB - Matarrita
CM - Diskerud
CM - McNamara
RAM - Harrison
LAM - Shelton
ST - Mendoza
ST - Villa

Match Facts:
NYCFC/Montreal

Shots 10/14
SOG 5/6
Poss. 46/54
Tackles 4/10
Fouls 4/2
Corners 2/3

[RyanLeaf16]

IRAOLA OUT 6 WEEKS WITH DISLOCATED SHOULDER


Bronx, NY --- NYCFC Swiss-Army Knife Andoni Iraola will be out of action for six weeks with a dislocated shoulder. Iraola who can play along the backline and in the midfield was a regular part of the starting XI for NYCFC and is also one of the club’s Designated Players – earning $50,000 a week.

Iraola who had been working solely in the midfield so far this season is scheduled to return at the beginning of June, however, it is not clear how soon he will get back into action as the team may want to ease him back into action due to the physical nature of his position.

“It’s a tough loss,” head man Patrick Vieira said. “He’s gone through a number of battles in Europe and brings a level of leadership on the pitch that is tough to match.”

Since Iraola went out with his injury, NYCFC have played a 4-2-2-2 and the move has seen greater playing time granted to Thomas McNamara and Khiry Shelton – both of whom have performed very well in their opportunities. It’s doubtful that Iraola will be phased out of the starting XI once he is ready to return, but, the improved play from others, may provide greater flexibility to move Iraola around a bit.

[RyanLeaf16]

EAST BEATS WEST. NYCFC TOPS LA 3-2


Match in 100 words...or less:
The top two teams from the Eastern/Western conference did not disappoint in an early season showdown. NYCFC walked away with a 3-2 win thanks to an early second-half goal from David Villa in the 50’ that put NYCFC up for good.

The game was not without drama though. The Galaxy’s Mike Magee nearly equalized in the 90’ as NYCFC GK Josh Saunders was beaten, but, Magee could only watch as the ball sailed just high over the post in what would be the last attack mounted before the whistle blew.

Match Moments:
10' - Brian Rowe scored an early save off a shot from Steven Mendoza
13' - Jack Harrison scores off a back-heel pass from Steven Mendoza
90' - Mike Magee sails a shot high just over the top post of the goal

Match Facts:
NYCFC/Los Angeles

Shots 12/14
SOG 9/3
Poss 49/51
Tackles 8/8
Fouls 1/2
Corners 3/0

Man of the Match: ST Steven Mendoza - 1 goal, 2 assists

[RyanLeaf16]

LEAGUES BEST DEFENSE ALLOWS NYCFC TO NET 5 GOALS


Match in 100 words...or less:
NYCFC winger/midfielder Khiry Shelton recorded his first goal of 2016 in a 5-2 rout of Toronto FC. Toronto came into the game having allowed the least amount of goals in MLS this season, but, the boys in blue put on a masterful performance. Playing fast and wide open, NYCFC found the passing channels there for the taking and they didn’t waste a single opportunity.

David Villa continued his dominance over the MLS scoring twice in a brace for NYCFC. The NYCFC backline did struggle however, allowing two uncontested goals to Toronto due to poor positioning.

Match Moments:
7' - Sebastian Giovinco hits the right post off a free kick
70' - David Villa misses on a PK when his shot hits the post and denies him a hat-trick
79' - Michael Bradley header is saved by Josh Saunders

Match Facts:
NYCFC/Toronto

Shots - 13/20
SOG - 7/7
Poss - 46/54
Tackles - 6/11
Fouls - 2/1
Corners - 3/1

Man of the Match: ST David Villa - 2 goals, 1 assist, 10 passes, 1 key pass

[RyanLeaf16]

Who's the Next DP? Khiry just a placeholder? Defensive reinforcements? Villa lining up for a raise?


Is Steven Mendoza a DP level player? Reports are that representatives for Mendoza will be seeking what is expected to be a Designated Player level contract extension. The striker arrived from Brazilian side Corinthians and has proven to be a top-class pairing with David Villa. That number is likely to be just over $16,000/week. Mendoza, who currently has a weekly wage of $9,000 is having a terrific season thus far with 2 goals and 5 assists through 8 matches.

Khiry Shelton may not be in NYCFC's long-term plans. Shelton, who finally found the net in the club's last match against Toronto is thought of as a tremendous athlete, but, still possesses a very heavy touch and is often dispossessed of the ball or is overplaying several balls forward. Word is that NYCFC brass may be looking for more of a playmaker and less of an athlete to pair with Jack Harrison.

Backline help a focus for Summer. Often criticized for their lack of attention to the back four, NYCFC leadership will be adding help to the backline this Summer. Whispers are that the goal is to "bulk up" at the center back position and to acquire pace at the fullback spots.

David Villa wants $80,000/week. David Villa has been Superman early into this 2016 season. He leads the club in goals and assists through 7 matches and has NYCFC sitting atop the Eastern conference. Not surprisingly, Villa would like a raise to $80,000/week. Thus far, the two sides are working together and nothing has become combative and no one believes it will as NYCFC are willing to pay whatever it takes to keep Villa happy...especially with the level of play he is currently maintaining.

[dfsJunkie]

Show him the money! Villa is out for the cash

[RyanLeaf16]

1. NO more international slots. While the MLS only allows 8 per team (which can be traded), their definition of international is very loose allowing those with green cards and permanent residency to count as a domestic slot - but, it is hard to track any of that in FIFA. So if a guy is a former Italy international, but, has permanent residency here, he's fine by MLS standards.

I have no clue if someone has a green card or not, and in FIFA, they show country of birth and that's it. So I am doing away with international slots.

2. NO MORE SUPER DRAFT...I just can't implement this in any sort of way. I thought of allowing myself to sign 2 American FAs each offseason, but, there's no guarantee that there will be American FAs and none of the other teams would be able to participate.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...after starting with many rules, I have pared it down to just a handful that I will be using:

1. Salary Cap is now $125,000/wk or $6.5 million/year $175,000/wk was just too high with 4 DP slots.

2. 3 DP slots instead of 4 3 is enough. You can buy another for a $150,000 reduction in your Allocation/Transfer money

3. Cap goes up 7% each year and DP salary level is 12.48% of annual cap Real cap in MLS for 2016 is $3.66 million and DP level is $457,000 which is 12.48% of the total cap. DP players WILL NOT count against the cap, but, the number will be generated from this formula.

4. ***Trades*** ONLY between MLS clubs Loans/Purchases are for transactions outside of the MLS...I can still technically "buy" a player from another MLS club, but the exchange of money will be considered "Allocation" money

5. 28 people on the roster. Top 18, excluding DPs, count against the cap. Simple and easy to follow. Also, YA players do not count against roster - this is done mainly b/c if you don't bring up some of your YA players, they request to leave...no need to lose all of them due to that, so once they start actually playing a bit and have progressed, you can count them. But, while you have them just training and stashed away on your roster, they do not have to count against your roster limit.